From Film Sets to School Desks: Why Educational Research Must Lead the Way

In a world of shifting policies and evolving classrooms, one question must sit at the center of education reform: Are our decisions backed by research, or just sentiment?

A recent classroom transformation in Kerala answers this with a compelling blend of cinema, science, and social change, offering a case study in why education research is the need of the hour for making the right decisions in schools.

The Story Begins with a Film

In 2025, the Malayalam movie Sthanarthi Sreekuttan quietly reshaped the future of hundreds of classrooms. Through the simple yet powerful narrative of a child left to the back benches of the class, often unheard and unseen—the film delivered a deeply emotional reminder: Where students sit often defines how they feel.

The movie sparked something extraordinary. Within months, over 300 schools across Kerala adopted a new classroom layout inspired by the film—what they call the PA-shaped seating arrangement.

What is the PA-Shaped Seating and Why Did It Matter?

PA, short for Pupil Alignment, resembles a horseshoe or semicircle- placing all students in a position of equal visibility. There are no backbenchers. Every child becomes part of the conversation.

The result? Students felt more engaged, teachers reported more inclusive participation, and the invisible hierarchy of classroom seating began to dissolve. It was hailed as a step toward equality in learning spaces.

But was it truly effective? This is where research becomes critical.

What the Research Actually Says: Lessons from NIH

Amid the excitement, educators turned to science for validation. A peer-reviewed study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) titled “The Influence of Seating Arrangements on Academic Engagement” (PMC7602767) provided critical insights:

• The study observed 162 primary school students over multiple months.

• It found that horseshoe (U-shaped) arrangements did not improve cognitive outcomes (like test scores or factual recall).

• However, they significantly enhanced emotional well-being and social engagement.

💡 "Students in U-shaped classrooms reported a 23% increase in emotional comfort, with 31% more peer interactions, and stronger feelings of inclusion." – NIH Study

This distinction matters. The seating change didn’t make children smarter, but it made them feel safer, seen, and heard. And that, in turn, may create a foundation for better learning over time.

Why Educational Decisions Must Be Evidence-Driven

The PA-shape adoption in Kerala is a beautiful example of emotionally-driven reform. But it also shows us the risks of skipping the research phase. While this shift improved classroom dynamics, relying solely on emotion—without data—could have led to misplaced expectations or unintended consequences.

Educational environments are complex ecosystems. Good intentions must be guided by structured inquiry, asking:

• Will this policy help all learners or just some?

• Are we measuring short-term enthusiasm or long-term impact?

• What does the research say, and where are the gaps?

Tamil Nadu’s Thoughtful Pause

Tamil Nadu, after seeing Kerala’s reform, has begun exploring similar seating innovations. But unlike a reactive approach, its Directorate of School Education is leaning into evaluative thinking. According to The New Indian Express (July 13, 2025), officials have asked for classroom models that not only promote collaboration but are also aligned with data and learning science.

This reflects the principles of India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes evidence-based pedagogy, child-centric learning, and inclusive environments.

So, Why Is Education Research the Need of the Hour?

Because emotion gets the conversation started—but research shapes the outcome.

• A film can inspire change—but a field study shows us if the change is working.

• A child can feel ignored in the back row—but data tells us how that affects their learning.

• A policy can look beautiful on paper—but only evidence can prove its success in practice.

Whether it's about seating, assessments, digital learning, or teacher training—we need research not as a support, but as a compass.

Conclusion: Toward Classrooms Built on Curiosity and Clarity

Sthanarthi Sreekuttan reminded us that education is emotional, human, and deeply personal. But if we want that education to be effective, fair, and future-ready, we must invest in the science of how children learn, not just the sentiment of how we wish they did.

The seating revolution in Kerala is not just a story about desks and benches—it’s a wake-up call. A reminder that the best education systems are those where policy meets pedagogy, and heart meets hard data.

References

1. NIH: The Influence of Seating Arrangements on Academic Engagement, PMC7602767

2. Sthanarthi Sreekuttan Review – The Hindu, July 2025

3. Kerala schools to remove backbenchers – Deccan Herald, July 2025

4. Tamil Nadu schooled over classroom seating idea – The New Indian Express, July 13, 2025